ArgoNavis Encoder

Installation and

User Guide

Version 10.0.4.x

ArgoNavis Encoder User Guide

Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3

Special Notes on the Touch Screen ......................................................................... 3 Physical Connections ................................................................................................... 3

Encoder Pro Model Rear Panel label .............................................................................. 3

Encoder Pro Model Connection Diagram ....................................................................... 4 Encoder Pro Model Connector Table ............................................................................. 4 Encoder Pro Model Breakout Cable Pinout. ................................................................... 5 Encoder SDI Model Rear Panel Label ............................................................................ 6 Encoder SDI Model Connection Diagram ...................................................................... 6

Encoder SDI Model Connector Table............................................................................. 6

Encoder Analog and HDMI Model Rear Panel Label .................................................... 7

Encoder Analog and HDMI Model Connection Diagram .............................................. 7 Encoder Analog and HDMI Model Connector Table ..................................................... 7

System Specifications .................................................................................................. 8

ArgoNavis Operations .................................................................................................. 9 Launching the Application ..................................................................................... 9 The Basic Encode Process .................................................................................... 10

Audio and Video Source Settings ...................................................................... 10 Selecting the Desired Audio and Video source .......................................... 10

Audio and Video Encode Parameters ............................................................... 12 Selecting the Video Format .............................................................................. 12 Selecting the Video Codec ................................................................................ 13

Selecting the Audio Codec ................................................................................ 14 MPEG1 Layer 2 .................................................................................................... 14

Selecting the Video Bitrate ............................................................................... 14 Selecting the Audio Bitrate .............................................................................. 14 Selecting the Number of Audio Channels ................................................... 15

Setting the GOP Structure ............................................................................... 15 Closed Captioning ............................................................................................... 15 Scaling the Video Output ................................................................................. 16

Cropping the Video Output .............................................................................. 16 Windows Media Proxy Encode ........................................................................ 16

Apply the Settings ............................................................................................... 16 Live Encoding ........................................................................................................... 17

Manual Encoding ................................................................................................ 17

Duration Encoding ............................................................................................. 17 VTR Encoding (not available on -1 model) ...................................................... 18

Connecting to the VTR ...................................................................................... 18

VTR Encoding ....................................................................................................... 19 Exiting the Application .......................................................................................... 19

Introduction Vela Research is pleased to introduce the ArgoNavis Encoding System.

The ArgoNavis provides advanced, multiformat encoding capabilities supporting MPEG-2 or H.264 (AVC) within an MPEG2 Transport Stream.

Special Notes on the Touch Screen If equipped with a Touch Screen, after unit power up, please allow

several seconds for the Touch Screen drivers to load prior to ‘touching’ the Touch Screen.

The Touch Screen is controlled via USB. Included with the Touch Screen is a USB cable. Connect the USB cable from the Touch Screen to any

available USB connector on the ArgoNavis unit.

Physical Connections Note that the ArgoNavis platform can be configured as an encoder or decoder and the inputs and outputs will be enabled/disabled based upon

the configuration of the unit. For example, an encoder only unit will have only the inputs enabled. Likewise, the decoder only configuration

will have only the outputs enabled. The ArgoNavis Input system comes in three different output

configurations:

Encoder Pro Model Rear Panel label

4000-xxxx-3 ArgoNavis Encoder Pro

A – HD/SD SDI IN MULTI I/O

B – HD/SD SDI OUT PORT

B A

HDMI IN HDMI OUT

Encoder Pro Model Connection Diagram

Encoder Pro Model Connector Table

Connectors

SDI Video Input HD/SD Switchable 75 ohm BNC

Component Video Input Y, Pb, Pr on 3 BNC

Composite Video Input BNC

S-Video Input S-Video Connector

HDMI Video Input HDMI type A Connector

Analog Audio Input 4 Channels via ¼” jack connectors. Jack connector is TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) Balanced 110 ohm at +4 dBm reference level.

AES/EBU Audio Input 2 Channels Unbalanced 75 ohm BNC

SDI Audio Input 8 Channels Embedded in HD or SD

HDMI Audio Input 2 Channels Embedded in HD or SD

Sync Input 75 ohm BNC. Blackburst in PAL and NTSC

formats or Tri Level Sync in any format. Not Used on the Encoder.

Device Control Sony compatible RS422 deck control.

Encoder Pro Model Breakout Cable Pinout.

Encoder SDI Model Rear Panel Label

4000-xxxx-2 ArgoNavis Encoder HD/SD SDI

Encoder SDI Model Connection Diagram

Encoder SDI Model Connector Table

Connectors

SDI Video Input HD/SD Switchable 75 ohm BNC

Sync Input 75 ohm BNC. Blackburst in PAL and NTSC formats or Tri Level Sync in any format. Not

Used on the Encoder.

Device Control Sony compatible RS422 deck control.

A – GEN LOCK IN MULTI I/O B – SD SDI PORT C – HD/SD SDI

C B A

Encoder Analog and HDMI Model Rear Panel Label

4000-xxxx-1 ArgoNavis Encoder Analog and HDMI

Encoder Analog and HDMI Model Connection Diagram

Encoder Analog and HDMI Model Connector Table

Connectors

Component Video Input 3 x RCA Connector

Composite Video Input 1 x RCA Connector

Analog Audio Input 2 x Unbalanced RCA Connector. 1 Stereo

Pair

HDMI Video 1 x HDMI Type A Connector

HDMI Audio 2 Channels Embedded in HDMI

A – HDMI IN MULTI I/O B – HDMI OUT PORT

B A

System Specifications

Chassis Model: 4000-2187-x (1.5 U Rackmount) Dimensions: (WxHxD) 16.8 x 2.6 x 13 in. (427 x 66 x 330 mm)

Weight Gross Weight: 19.6 lbs. (8.9 kg.)

System Input Requirements

AC Input Voltage: 100-240V AC auto-range Rated Input Current: 5A max Rated Input Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz

Power Supply Rated Output Power: 220W

Rated Output Voltages: +3.3V (0 to 10A), +5V (12A), +12V (16A), -12V (0.3A), +5Vsb (0 to 2A), +5V and +3V total 80W max.

Operating Environment Operating Temperature: 10° to 35° C (50° to 95° F)

Non-operating Temperature: -40° to 70° C (-40° to 158° F) Operating Relative Humidity: 8% to 90% (non-condensing)

Non-operating Relative Humidity: 5 to 95% (non-condensing) Drive Bays

2 x 3.5” Internal SATA drive bays Note: The following items are subject to change based on configuration,

part availability/obsolescence, and technological advances.

Motherboard MSI Model: H67MA-E45

Processor (s) 1 Intel i5 2400 3.1 GHz Quad Core Processor (can be upgraded)

Memory 4 GB DDR3 1333 PC10600 RAM (can be upgraded)

HDD 1 x 1 TB 3.5” 7200 RPM SATA (can be upgraded)

OS

Windows 7 Professional 32 Bit

ArgoNavis Operations

Launching the Application

The easiest way to launch the encoder application is from the ArgoNavis Toolbar.

The Basic Encode Process

The basic encode process involves the following steps:

1. Setting the Audio and Video sources (SDI, HDMI, etc.) 2. Setting the Encode parameters

3. Selecting between Live or VTR encoding 4. Performing the Encode

Audio and Video Source Settings

Selecting the Desired Audio and Video source

On the Encoder User Interface in the Settings panel select the ‘Change’ button to launch the Change Settings window.

Select the desired input source from the Video Input Format drop down box

Audio and Video Encode Parameters

Selecting the Video Format

Possible Selections are:

NTSC (720x480 29.97)

PAL (720x576 25) HD 1080p 23.98 HD 1080i 50 (PAL)

HD 1080i 59.94 (NTSC) HD 720p 50 (PAL)

HD 720p 59.94 (NTSC)

Selecting the Video Codec

Possible Selections are: MPEG-2

H.264

Selecting the Audio Codec

Possible Selections are:

MPEG1 Layer 2

AAC

AC3 (for MPEG-2 Video in version 10.0.4.x)

Selecting the Video Bitrate

The video bitrate can be selected from one of the values populated in the drop down box or entered manually by typing the desired value in the

box. Possible values are: SD MPEG-2

SD H.264

HD MPEG-2 HD H.264

Selecting the Audio Bitrate

The audio bitrate can be selected from one of the values populated in the drop down box. The default value is 192 kbps.

Selecting the Number of Audio Channels

The number of audio channels can be selected from the down box. The

audio is encoded in pairs with one audio PID created for each pair of audio channels.

Setting the GOP Structure

The GOP Structure is set by selecting the I Frame Interval and the

Number of B Frames for H.264 or the GOP Size and IP Frame Interval for MPEG-2. By default in these settings are:

H.264 I Frame Interval 200 and Number of B Frames 2 MPEG-2 GOP Size 15 and IP Frame Interval 3

Closed Captioning

VANC CC (706 and 608) is captured by selecting the line that the VANC CC is on. Line 9 is set by default.

To encode Line 21 Closed Captioning disable the VANC CC by unchecking the Encode VANC CC checkbox. Line 21 CC is captured

automatically if it exists.

Scaling the Video Output

The video can be scaled to one the values listed in the drop box. Check

the ‘Scale Video’ checkbox to enable scaling.

Cropping the Video Output

To crop the video check the ‘Crop Video’ checkbox and set the Left and Right x values and the Top and Bottom y values.

Windows Media Proxy Encode

Starting in version 10.4.0.x the ArgoNavis can create a 320x240 Windows Media Format file while performing the main MPEG-2/H.264

encode. This file can be used as a proxy or for web distribution without the need to transcode.

* Note that after selecting or de-selecting the Windows Media Format option the ArgoNavis Encoder application must be shutdown and

restarted to apply the changes.

Apply the Settings

Prior to exiting the settings page Select the Apply button.

Live Encoding

Manual Encoding

A manual encode is not timed or frame accurate. A manual encode is started by the operator and stopped by the operator. Press the ‘Record’

button to start encoding and the encoder will run until the ‘Stop’ button is selected.

Duration Encoding

A duration encode is timed and is currently accurate to the second. A duration encode is started by the operator and stopped automatically

after the duration has passed. To perform the encode:

1. Check the Duration Checkbox

2. Enter the desired duration. Note that the Duration is currently only accurate to the second. The frames value cannot be set.

3. Press the ‘Record’ button at the desired time. 4. The encode will stop automatically after the duration has expired.

VTR Encoding (not available on -1 model)

The ArgoNavis Encoding system supports VTR control using Sony 9 Pin protocol with the BVW 50 command set over RS-422. VTR Control must

be used for frame accurate encoding.

Connecting to the VTR

To connect to the VTR perform the following:

1. Connect a straight through RS 232/422 cable from the remote

control port on the break out cable (or EMI plate for the SDI only model) to the remote port on the VTR.

2. On the Encoder User Interface select ‘Connect’. 3. Once connected you can use the VTR controls to move through the

tape.

4. To disconnect select the ‘Disconnect’ button.

VTR Encoding

A VTR encode is a frame accurate encode. The encode will start at the

Mark-In and terminate at the Mark-Out and control the VTR in the process. To perform a VTR encode:

1. Connect to the VTR. 2. Enter the Mark-In or use the VTR Controls to Jog/Shuttle to the

Mark-In and select the ‘Set’ button beside the Mark-In to populate

the Mark-In value. 3. Enter the Mark-Out or use the VTR Controls to Jog/Shuttle to the

Mark-Out and select the ‘Set’ button beside the Mark-Out to populate the Mark-Out value.

4. Press the ‘Record’ button and the encoder will take control of the

VTR perform the encode.

Exiting the Application

Under normal conditions, shutdown the application using the windows x button.

Under abnormal conditions, use the Soft Reset on the Vela Toolbar and this will forcibly shutdown the vela programs and clear them from

memory.

www.vela.com 5540 Rio Vista Drive

Clearwater, FL 33760-3107 727 507 5300

Copyright 2012 Vela Research LP. All rights reserved.

Vela and ArgoNavis are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vela Research LP.

http://www.vela.com/